[Psychiatric and medical specialists in community health: 2 solitary fields]

The fields of psychiatry and community health have much in common. Specialists in these two disciplines do not use sophisticated technology; the results of their research are not spectacular; and psychiatrists, like physicians specializing in community health, have a poor public image. Representatives of these two medical specialties must work more closely together and develop alliances to promote mental health in areas including: behavioral problems in children, alcoholism and substance abuse, adolescent suicide, community integration of the mentally ill, mental health problems among the elderly, and violence and sexual abuse. The author believes these two solitudes must be brought together and a work team established to improve community mental health.